All About this Tour

Southern Thailand offers up turquoise waters, white sand and lush jungles and what better way to see some of the best ones than by riding from resort to resort on smooth tarmac roads. Our route through Southern Thailand is designed to take us off the main roads as much as possible so we can explore scenic areas around Khanom, Khao Sok, Khao Lak and Phuket.

Our tour starts in Nakhon Si Thammarat, one of the most ancient cities of Thailand, with a visit to the famous temple there that contains a tooth relic of Buddha. We ride north along pristine beaches to Khanom before heading inland to spend the night on floating rafts on Cheow Larn lake. We ride on the edge of Khao Sok National Park to the beaches on the Andaman Sea.

We end our tour at the resort island of Phuket, where we'll be challenged by the hills while cycling but rewarded with beautiful sea views!

Additional Cost Details

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Itinerary

Day 1

We meet in the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and, after a city tour, meet up for a welcome dinner and a trip briefing.

Day 2

As we ride north to Khanom, we'll have the Gulf of Thailand and endless beaches on our right. A flat morning ride will be a good warm-up for the rolling hills in the afternoon.

Day 3

It's a long ride today as we head inland riding past rubber and coconut plantations and countless villages. We overnight at Cheow Larn Lake on rafts you can go for a swim directly from.

Day 4

A semi rest day with a morning kayak amidst the limestone karsts. After lunch, we bike along an undulating road that winds through a series of magnificent limestone cliffs and green jungle.

Day 5

We ride along the edge of Khao Sok National Park to Takua Pa, a town with traditional wooden houses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Then bike to a waterfall to cool off before heading to our beachfront hotel steps from the Andaman Sea.

Day 6

We ride on backroads through palm and rubber plantations, past shrimp farms and along the beach to the bridge that connects the island of Phuket with the mainland.

Day 7

Day 8

Elevation Profiles

Reviews

Fantastic rich experience of Thailand. Nat and Mr Ya were amazing ensuring we had the very best of everything always. Huge thank you to Spiceroads and these guys.

Mike ReubensJuly 2018

The fact that I have been on four SpiceRoads trips speaks for itself. The experiences of each one have been highly enjoyable, with excellent cycling, good company and a fabulous array of local food. Hotels are of a good standard.

Malcolm McLeanJanuary 2018

SpiceRoads gave us a unique, interesting and well supported trip across Thailand. We felt safe and well looked after and believe we saw and tasted something of the real Thailand.

Trip Profile

We cycle 600 km along coastlines, fishing villages, and islands. We stay in beach resorts, and one night we'll spend on a raft floating on Cheow Larn Lake. There are no rest days, but we'll have one morning free with time to kayak or swim while we are on the lake. An air-conditioned minivan that travels behind the group provides excellent support. Participants can cycle as much or as little as they like and still enjoy the same views as the rest of the group.

Our route is designed to take us off the main roads as much as possible, so we can explore scenic areas around Khanom, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, and Phuket.

Suitability: The riding starts out flat and undulates until we reach Phuket, where there will be some steeper hill climbs. The distances are well within the capability of most riders with a good fitness level. A support truck is always available to help when required.

Biking Conditions: The roads are smooth tarmac, and although there will be some unavoidable sections on main highways, most of our riding will be on quiet backroads.

Day 1 Arrive in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Arrive in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and we'll meet you at the airport. We go for a short city tour to visit Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, one of the most important historic sites in southern Thailand. The pagoda, 55.78 m high, has a distinct Sri Lankan style, and the top is entirely covered by pure gold. Inside the temple are many buildings of importance, especially the royal building, which has beautiful architecture from the Ayutthaya period, and the Sam Chom building, where the Buddha image is attired in royal wardrobe. We then go to our hotel to freshen up. We meet for dinner and briefing before we retire in anticipation of the morning's ride.

Twin Lotus Hotel

Dinner

Day 2 Nakhon Si Thammarat - Khanom Beach

We take in the coast of Southern Thailand as we work our way north to Khanom. We have the Gulf of Thailand on our right as we cycle by coconut trees lining endless beaches. Occasionally, we'll have to leave the coast and head inland to go around estuaries emptying into the sea. We lunch at a local seafood restaurant on the way. After the morning's flat ride, we'll have a few rolling hills in the afternoon before we reach our resort.

Racha Khiri Resort

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 107km

+444m

-443m

Day 3 Khanom Beach - Cheow Larn Lake

After our easy warm up ride, we have a long ride ahead of us as we head inland. We pass rubber and coconut plantations and countless villages as we ride through the rural landscape. As we have support vehicles, there is always the option of transferring part of the route. Our destination is the refreshing waters of Cheow Larn Lake. Once we reach the pier, we have a 30-minute boat ride to our rafts where we'll overnight on the lake set amidst karst cliffs. You can go for a swim directly from your raft.

Phupha Waree

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 149km

+920m

-860m

Day 4 Cheow Larn Lake - Khao Sok

Today is a semi-rest day after our epic ride the day before. The morning is free to go for a kayak, for another swim, or for a relaxing snooze. After lunch, we head out for our ride on the only road that undulates and winds through a series of magnificent limestone cliffs and green jungle along the edge of Khao Sok National Park to our riverside lodge.

Khaosok River Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 56km

+496m

-495m

Day 5 Khao Sok - Khao Lak

This morning, we ride along the edge of Khao Sok National Park to the outskirts of Takua Pa. Here we travel through the old town and see traditional wooden buildings intermixed with Portuguese colonial buildings. We visit the Tsunami Victim Cemetery, which memorialises the victims from 39 countries. We then take a quiet backroad through small villages, shady rubber plantations, and across rivers as we cycle to the small waterfall of Sai Rung. There’s a dipping pool at the base perfect for cooling off. Then it’s a short 10 km more to our next beachside hotel.

The Haven Khao Lak

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 84km

+833m

-892m

Day 6 Khao Lak - Phuket

We ride backroads, along canals, past palm and rubber plantations and shrimp farms, and along the beach to the bridge that connects the island of Phuket with the mainland. We'll have to ride on the main highway for a stretch as there is no alternative. Next, we ride with views of the Andaman Sea with some tough hills thrown in just before we reach our resort.

Naiyang Beach Resort

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 90km

+654m

-655m

Day 7 Phuket Loop

We'll go for a ride to see the resort island of Phuket. There will be plenty of hills as we ride through rubber tree plantations and along endless beaches on this island tour.

Naiyang Beach Resort

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 115km

+1367m

-1367m

Day 8 Departure

Catch a flight from Phuket International airport or extend your stay and enjoy the sun and sands of Phuket!

Breakfast

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. The bikes are Trek 2.1 C, Domane 2.0 and carbon Émonda S5 road bikes, with Shimano components and seat posts. If you have your own saddle that you are comfortable with, you are welcome to bring it and we'll fit it. We can provide strap-style toe cages if requested, but you might like to consider bringing SPD clip pedals if you use them, and please make sure to bring your shoes and cleats. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a road bike in good mechanical order.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Thailand - Phuket

Passports and Visas

All nationalities require a passport for entry into Thailand. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. If staying less than 30 days then a visa in advance is not required by European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. This is strictly enforced.

Health

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

Weather

Southern Thailand has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27˚C/ 80F and 35˚C/95F and, with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to October, but temperatures are slightly lower, because of the effect of the rain. During this time it will not rain continuously, but in sharp bursts, and the sun can come out quickly. The cooler season is from October to February, with average temperatures between 20˚C/68F and 30˚C/86F.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries, and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20 per day, for incidentals.

Money

The Thai currency is the baht. ATMs, which are abundant, are the easiest ways to get Thai baht. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Banks or the rarer private moneychangers offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need baht for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.

Thailand

Passports and Visas

All nationalities require a passport for entry into Thailand. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of your stay in the country. If staying less than 30 days then a visa in advance is not required by European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities. Please check this page to see if you qualify. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. This is strictly enforced.

Health

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

Weather

Thailand generally has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. The North and Central region have a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. Northeast Thailand has a humid hot and dry weather alternatively with medium rain while the coastal areas of the east is humid and hot with intermittent rain. The South of Thailand has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity.

There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27˚C/80 F and 40˚C/104 F, with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to October, but temperatures are slightly lower, because of the effect of the rain. During this time it will not rain continuously, but in sharp bursts, and the sun can come out quickly. The cooler season is from October to February, with average temperatures between 20˚C/68 F and 30˚C/86 F.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries, and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20 per day, for incidentals.

Money

The Thai currency is the baht. ATMs, which are abundant, are the easiest ways to get Thai baht. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Banks or the rarer private moneychangers offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need baht for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.

General booking info

Booking

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place: Read our Booking Conditions

From the tour page click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office. For the next steps you'll need to know the names of the people traveling and have either a Visa or a MasterCard. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height, or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). However, if you wish to get a children's discount, please do fill out the date of birth of the riders. If you are having any problems, please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 2 381 7490) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

Deposit

For Long Tours (7 days or more) to guarantee your place we require a 30% or 500 USD deposit, whichever is the greater. For Short Tours (6 days or less) we require full payment to guarantee your place. We also require that you take out travel insurance when you book your holiday. Besides covering you during your holiday it will also enable you to claim for any money that you have paid to us, including your deposit, should you have to cancel your trip.

Balance

Full payment must be paid 45 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights. Our confirmation will include personal details you provided us (including your flight information), visa application advice, a packing suggestion list and a detailed tour itinerary. It will also include a checklist to ensure you get everything ready for your holiday.

Cancellation Policy

On the rare occasions when we, SpiceRoads, must cancel a trip, all payments received to date will be 100% refunded, which constitutes full settlement. There will be absolutely no deductions. If you, the client, must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to when you cancel. For full details, please read our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts can not be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

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The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary